The 11 for '11

PIVOT MACH 5.7 XTR ULTRALITE

10 / 11

PRICE: $6,300; $1,995 (frame) WEIGHT: 25 lb. (M, claimed) INFO:pivotcycles.com
Pivot's Mach 5 morphs into the new Mach 5.7 for 2011 and has a more-aggressive attitude to go with its additional .7 inches of rear wheel travel. The redesigned frame is stiffer—and a half-pound lighter—than the old model, and a flatter spring curve gives a plusher overall suspension feel. Geometry gets a significant tweak, too, with a more-relaxed head angle, taller head tube and .4-inch-lower bottom bracket. » Initial concerns that the bike might not have the original's ultra-crisp pedaling performance were immediately erased when we tested the 5.7 on Moab's Sovereign Trail: It still drives forward with the efficiency that made us fans of the Mach 5. The boost in frame stiffness is noticeable, especially in the front end—a nice touch because the plusher suspension and geometry say "attack" like never before.

Why: More travel, with the same snappy pedaling as its beloved predecessor